As I mentioned at the beginning of chapter 1, some words have been changed to ones Earth humans can pronounce since they have only one short tongue. I also want to thank the nameless folks who smuggled my story off planet so the anti slavery movement can see what life here is really like and help end slavery across the universe.
I've never been so scared in my life. Even in the midst of battle at sea with cannon shot flying and splinters of wood from hits trying to stab me, screams, yelling, chaos, and blood. But not as terrified as this.
I'm suspended upright, spread eagle in the middle of the blacksmith's shop. She's honing a straight razor on a strop. Her boy is hammering a bronze band into a collar for me.
"Sure you don't want it castrated Mam? Makes them much more docile."
"No Marlene, just shaved, branded and collared. Do a close shave. I don't want it to show any body hair, especially in the pubic area. Half an hour?"
"Better make it a hour."
"OK I'll send someone in an hour."
"Thank you M' Lady."
Yesterday started so normally. I'd just finished walking Lady Penny's pet warrdic (cross between a dog and a sheep, with soft thick curly pink fur) and there was a guest sitting with her in the blue parlor when we returned.
"Oh, there's my Sweetie! Come to mommy." I dropped the leash and Sweetie ran to My Lady. "Sweetie wants her belly rubbed, doesn't she."
Her guest has black hair with a distinctive widows peak. Her eyes were almost black with a cunning cruel appraising look.
"Margaret, this is my personal servant, Jack. Jack, this is Baroness Margaret."
"Pleased to meet you Baroness."
"Humph. Penelope, it is a slave, and should always be addressed as such."
Little miss sunshine.
"Oh Maggy, get that pickle out of your ass. Jack, you'll never guess who Margaret is married to."
"No Mam."
"Well, hold onto your hat. She's my brother Richard's wife!"
"Oh?"
"Yes, and the reason she's here? Next month is Richard's fortieth birthday, and I'm giving you to him as a present. What do you think of that?'
I was speechless. I'd see my captain again!
"Now, go tell Chef we'll eat early so you and Maggy can catch the six o'clock train, dear."
I was in a daze. I'll be with my captain again. I missed him so much, especially when I woke up first thing in the morning alone in my bed. Don't get me wrong, life at the chateau is good, Lady Penelope and Sir Gregory are kind owners, but I do miss him.
Baroness Margaret made it very clear she did not approve of Gloria and I eating with them.
We all said our 'good byes' at the station.
"You! Porter. Does this train have a slave car?"
"Yes of course Madame."
"Good, take this thing."
The slave car was just behind the locomotive. Barred windows, hard wooden benches, an open toilet at one end of the car and a water tank with a tin cup chained to it at the other. Of course the door was kept locked.
By the time we arrived at our destination I knew I'd grown too soft. Even my hammock in the foc'sul when I first went to sea was more comfortable than the hard benches.
Baroness Margaret took me directly to the barns that held the blacksmith shop. I was ordered to strip and here I hang.
The whole thing is terrifying! Shaved with a straight razor, Especially down there.
"I could just nip them right off. Tell the Baroness I slipped. How about just one? Which do you prefer? Right or left?" she laughed. I didn't even breath.
Her helper is pumping the bellows. The branding iron goes from straw yellow to glowing red. "Let's take that mean old gag off."
There's no use begging, and fucked if I'll give her the pleasure.
"Oh, strong silent type, eh stud?
"Aaaahhh!" I scream as the iron burns my shoulder. Then whimper as it is reheated to do my left buttock. I scream again as it sears me.
"That was so much fun. Douse him."
I shriek as the icy water is thrown over me. It doesn't wash away the smell of burning meat. They left me hanging.
Marlene, the smith, returned later with two guards. "Mike, I'm off at six. Would you be a dear and walk me home? A weak little girl all alone on the dark streets isn't safe, you know."
"I don't go straight home. You'd have to stop at the 'The Red Trout' for a drink with me on the way."
"Why sir, you wouldn't try getting me drunk and take advantage of me. Would you?"
"Never had to get you drunk before darlin'"
"Well, let's get Her Bitchiness' new plaything down. Ed, give us a hand. You can rivet on the collar."
I was secured in a fixture something between stocks and a hammer press.
"Bang!" by my left ear. "Bang!" by my right ear and my bronze collar was riveted around my neck.
"Meet you here at six then. Bye Ed, we won't start till eight tomorrow, enjoy your evening."
With a chain lead onto my new collar I was led to another part of the barn and pushed into a four foot cube cage. The door was locked and they left.
Bare wood floor. Nothing else. Two days. No food or water. I soiled myself. The days were long and cold. The nights longer and colder.
The lights come on. "Joe, bring the hose, there's a filthy little piggy in here."
Fuck me, that's the coldest water I've ever felt, and I've sailed through winter storms in the high arctic. He unlocks the cage. "Out Pig."
Cold stiff, hungry and exhausted I crawl out and pull myself up to my feet.
A lady guard wearing a clean crisp uniform clips a leather leash onto my collar and leads me naked out of the barn. We cross a gravel road and go through a gate in a high stone wall. A different world. A formal garden. Elegant even put to sleep for the winter. Hedges. Bushes trimmed to fantastic shapes.
We go into the big limestone mansion. Up a flight of stairs and along a carpeted hall. Through a set of double doors to an elegant tastefully appointed sitting room.
Baroness Margaret hands her tea cup to a maid who quietly leaves the room.
"Kneel." Whispers the guard.
"Thank you girl. You may wait outside. Leave the door open."
"Thank you Mam."
"So, slave? Are you ready to serve me, or would you rather go back to the barn?"
"I'm ready to serve you, Mam."
"Mistress. You will address me as 'Mistress'." She smiled her cold smile.
"Yes Mistress."
"Good...Understand, Admiral Sir Richard Butterfield, Baron of Suxwold is a wonderful husband and I love him with all my heart. But he doesn't trust me with money. He thinks I'm a silly girl who will spend us into the poor house. He has that mean old accountant give me a weekly allowance, like I'm some kind of a child. One new gown, or fur, and a pair of shoes and, poof, no more money until next week! What if I need a new purse? That is no way for a lady in my position to be forced to live.
"So, that is where you come in. There are people of a certain economic position who will pay handsomely for a 'date' (she finger quoted) with pretty boys and girls. The maid that just left? She goes on dates for me. You will too."
"Yes Mistress."
"Guard! take this thing to Mrs. Coulson."
"Yes Mam."
As we walked she let my leash hang loose. "I'm Ella, what's your name?"
"Jack, Mam."
"Call me Ella, as long as the Baroness isn't in hearing range. Here we are Jack."
Hard to tell Mrs. Coulson's height in the black painful looking ballet boots she wore. Her makeup couldn't hide her age. She had an odd accent and idioms. Her black dress, hem just above her knees had white satin cuffs and collar. Her pendulum earrings and necklace of big round beads were jet black. Her black hair was in a short severe style.
"So. Un dis is zee new cum dump? Jane! Here! See vat you can do with dis tings hairs."
I immediately saw Jane was a sissy boy. Tall as me in her heels. Slim. A pretty pink cotton print sundress. Her wide pink leather collar had a big shiny brass padlock.
"Come. I see you've been a bad boy, neglecting your hair like that. Well, let's see if Jane can work her magic dear."
A while later Ella came. "That looks nice, Jack."
"Good? Ya, now ve dress it."
My long sleeve top has wide white and pink horizontal stripes. The collar scooped down front and back. It was of a thin stretchy knit. The pants were of a similar grey slightly heavier material. There was no belt, just woven laces. My equipment between my legs evident.
Ella leashed me, but let it hang. "Come along honey. Your date awaits."
The double doors to the parlor were open. Ella took off my leash. "Smile sweetheart. Go to Mistress, she'll introduce you." Ella sent me with a slap on my fanny.
Mistress was like a whole different person. All smiles and warm feminine charm. "Here you are! Roy, this is the boy I was telling you about, Jack. He'd just love to accompany you tonight. Wouldn't you Jack." Not a question.
Roy was an older pudgy man. He had a small mouth and green beady eyes. "Hello Jack. You seem like a friendly young man. Would you like to join me for dinner?"
"It would be my pleasure Sir,"
"Come. Lets get you a drink. And Jack, you may call me Roy."
"Thank you, Roy."
His hand slid from the small of my back to my tush as he directed me to the bar set up on the far wall. Whatever it took I was NOT going back to the barn.
There were several slaves of various sexes with well dressed ladies and gentlemen scattered around the room. Mistress Margaret must be quite the shopper.
Roy led me to a couple with the maid that had taken Mistress Margaret's tea cup earlier.
"Mac, Laura! Great to see you."